Search Results for: garden

December 1, 2017

New renderings and more funding for South Williamsburg’s Dime Savings Bank site

6sqft reported in May that a 23-story mixed-use tower was headed for one of Williamsburg‘s most closely-watched developments, the site anchored by the Neoclassical-style Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh building at 209 Havemeyer Street at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge. Now, New York Yimby reveals new renderings courtesy of the project's architects, Fogarty Finger Architecture and Interiors. In addition, the site's developers, Charney Construction & Development and Tavros Capital Partners, have received a $150 million loan to restore the historic bank and build the new tower. According to The Real Deal, the loan coincides with the closing of the purchase of the bank building itself–the site's final parcel–for $12 million.
More renderings this way
November 30, 2017

Is that an uptown rat or a downtown rat? Study says there’s a difference.

Next time you see a rat in Comme des Garçons sneakers, you'll know you're in the West Village. Fordham University graduate student Matthew Combs is what you might call an urban rat scholar. Most recently Combs and his colleagues have been focused on the DNA of Manhattan's brown rats; according to The Atlantic, they've been able to produce the most comprehensive genetic rat population portrait to date. Their study revealed that there are distinctive rat subpopulations within the city's scampering masses: In particular, Manhattan's uptown and downtown rats are genetically distinguishable from one another.
Distinct neighborhoods have their own distinct rats
November 30, 2017

Art-filled ‘Musée Maison,’ Hamilton Heights home of artist/acrobat, still a tough sell at $2.7M

In 2015, 6sqft took a look at this unusual Hamilton Heights three-family townhouse at 532 West 148th Street, then on the market for $2.5 million. The home was purchased by Portuguese-born architect/artist Luis Da Cruz in 2006 for $995,000 and thoroughly renovated, emerging as a canvas for the artist's personal creative vision. Cruz restored the 1920 home's carved wood stairways and railings, moldings, five fireplaces, beamed ceiling and exposed brick walls, and added his signature art pieces to an eclectic industrial/bohemian decor. Luis called the home Musée Maison (aptly, Museum House), and made it his studio and workshop; he also hosted art events during which all of the work was for sale and he would perform tricks on aerial silks suspended from the ceiling. The home has apparently yet to find the perfect match, and has seen its asking price rise with the market rather than fall to entice buyers; the four-bedroom house was just re-listed for $2.7 million.
Get lost in this amazing home
November 29, 2017

The 10 best holiday events and activities for NYC history buffs

The holidays turn New York City into a bright, illuminated wonderland that even the biggest Scrooge among us can enjoy. While there are plenty of events to choose from, like alternative holiday markets and glittering art installations, many of these activities can be jampacked with tourists. For those looking to learn more about their own holiday traditions, or understand others, there are lots of low-key, educational events perfect for history buffs looking for a quieter holiday experience. Ahead, check out 6sqft’s guide to the best holiday events in New York City that come with a historical twist, from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa.
This way for our top-10 picks
November 29, 2017

Proposal to extend PATH train to Newark airport heads to public meetings this week

A new proposal from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey would extend the PATH system's Newark to World Trade Center line from its current terminus at Newark Penn Station to the Newark Liberty Rail Link Station (Airport Station) at Newark Liberty International Airport. The addition would allow better transit access to and from the airport for Lower Manhattan and Bergen, Hudson, and Essex Counties in New Jersey–there is currently no pedestrian or bus access to the Airport Station. The Port Authority is holding two public meetings this week in Newark to discuss the project's scope.
Details, this way
November 28, 2017

Landmarks votes to consider Philip Johnson’s postmodern AT&T Building for historic designation

This morning the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the postmodern skyscraper at 550 Madison Avenue, designed by Philip Johnson and completed in 1984. The world’s first skyscraper built in a postmodern style was originally known as the AT&T Building, as the tower served as the company headquarters. Sony moved in in the 1990s, giving it the nickname of the Sony Tower. Last year, the building sold to the Olayan Group and Chelsfield for a whopping $1.4 billion. Their resulting renovation plan, led by Snøhetta, has elicited protest from preservationists who do not want to see changes to the building's impressive arched entryway. Now that the tower's calendared, the developers' $300 million renovation will eventually come up for a landmarks vote by the LPC.
See renderings of Snøhetta's proposal
November 27, 2017

Did Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban buy Michael Jackson’s former UES mansion?

Adding to the mansion’s celebrity lineage, country music star Keith Urban might be buying the 16-room Upper East Side townhouse at 4 East 74th Street for $39 million as a gift for his wife, Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman. According to Woman's Day, Kidman will take her acting career to Broadway, making the townhouse on Central Park the perfect nesting spot, although a deal has not been made official. "While there are several interested parties in the house, no deal has been made yet and a contract has not been signed," said the listing's agent, Adam Modlin. "The house is available." Constructed in 1898, past residents have included artist Marc Chagall and Michael Jackson. The sprawling six-story home features seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and an original detailed oak staircase, 10 wood burning fireplaces and a private roof deck. As 6sqft previously covered, the building's current owner, billionaire hedge fund manager and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, listed the property earlier this month.
See inside
November 27, 2017

Built into a stone ledge, this historic Hudson Valley church is a live-work fairytale

This unusual property has an enchanted background even before you see it: Situated in the Hudson Valley between the towns of New Paltz and Kingston, built into a stone ledge above the Wallkill River at the mouth of the Sturgeon Pool, this former church made of hand-cut stone dates from the 19th century. With an industrial past behind it, the 7,000 square-foot building is now used as a multi-level living and working space, with a three-story tower, balconies, an indoor fire pit and three bedrooms within, surrounded by lush gardens, water views and an outdoor grill. It's also for sale, asking $799,000.
Explore this amazing live-work building
November 22, 2017

15 alternative holiday markets and indie pop-up shops in NYC

’Tis the season for shopping; even if we’re determined to resist the call to consume (or do all our shopping online, from bed), there’s always that unexpected invitation, last-minute secret Santa, or someone special that sends us scrambling for the perfect present. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of gift markets and pop-up shops offering a bounty of goodies and crafty gifts. The big mainstream NYC markets at Union Square, Bryant Park Grand Central Station and Columbus Circle are the front-runners for sheer volume, but some of the best finds—and the most fun—can be found at smaller, cooler neighborhood affairs. In addition to locally-made jewelry, crafts, vintage finds, artfully curated fashions, home items, gourmet goodies and other things we didn't know we needed, these hip retail outposts sparkle with drinks, food, workshops, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where to get the goods
November 21, 2017

Narofsky Architecture built this Long Island home using trees knocked down during Hurricane Irene

In the summer of 2011, Hurricane Irene landed in New York City and on Long Island, heavily damaging the area, the storm's heavy rainfall and strong winds knocking down trees and causing major power outages. Turning destruction into art, Narofsky Architecture designed a house on an Irene-destroyed site using the wood from fallen trees (h/t dezeen). Based in Nassau County, the home features black locust, a rot-resistant wood, for its exterior paneling and shower benches and darkened pin oak for floors throughout the home. Even some of the home's furniture was made from fallen trees, including its bookcases, mantels, dining table, and cabinetry.
Take a tour
November 21, 2017

$1.4M mod duplex is part of a rare Upper East Side enclave

In a city that seems to be growing more homogenous each day, this listing is one of the exceptions. Tucked away in plain sight on an Upper East Side street that ends in a cul-de-sac overlooking the East River, this floor-through duplex at 527 East 72nd Street is a rare oasis. Bookended by two petite public parks, the co-op complex consists of four wood-clad 1894 townhouses painted black and white. Within, the two-bedroom apartment is just as dreamy and beautifully renovated with clean, modern finishes that continue the feeling of having escaped the bustle of Manhattan. Asking $1.395 million, the home spans two levels and has a laundry room, a separate office, two baths and a powder room–and there's plenty of living space left over.
Get a closer look
November 20, 2017

Preservation unbound: Is a plan to re-build the original Penn Station a viable option?

In August 6sqft reported that major work was underway in the $1.6 billion transformation of Penn Station's James A. Farley Building into a state-of-the-art, 225,000-square-foot “world-class 21st century transportation hub” called Moynihan Train Hall. That hasn't stopped the flow of suggestions for how to best make use of New Yorkers' un-favorite transport hub, which have included Practice for Architecture and Urbanism founder Vishaan Chakrabarti's proposal to repurpose, then move the old building to create a neighborhood gathering spot and a plan by Columbia University’s DeathLab  to turn the the station into a landscaped cemetery. Among those voices-with-a-vision is Rebuild Penn Station, a group of architects and preservationists whose intent is to recreate the original McKim, Mead and White-designed Penn Station, and a new ad campaign aims to get commuters on board (h/t Curbed).
Find out more
November 20, 2017

NYC’s best art installations and exhibits to get you in the holiday spirit

The holiday season in New York is one of the most magical times, packed with lots of events to perpetuate the experience. Aside from ice skating, holiday-themed bars, and the tree at Rockefeller Center, be sure to tuck into these art exhibitions and events to get you into the spirit! From old standbys like the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show to contemporary offerings like Yayoi Kusama's glittering installations in Chelsea and Erwin Redl's haunting field of glowing orbs at Madison Square Park, we've rounded up the 14 best must-see artsy exhibits this year.
Our top picks right this way
November 20, 2017

Townhouse charm, modern design, and a prime location add up to this $825K West Village co-op

This one-bedroom co-op at 352 West 12th Street has exactly the kind of West Village charm–inside and out–that makes the neighborhood one of the city's most sought-after–and makes even its tiniest spaces among the most fought-over. Asking $825,000–in keeping with the neighborhood's complete lack of perspective in the area of real estate value–what's essentially an alcove studio with a privacy-enhancing wall has been blessed with interior design and finishes that make every square foot a joy to behold. It may not "astound with surprises," as the listing offers, but it's a surprisingly chic little flat, two flights up, with a lovely common garden shared the trio of 19th-century townhouses that comprise the co-op.
Take a look, this way
November 16, 2017

Chelsea townhouse with modern Danish design asks a cool $11M

This Chelsea townhouse at 449 West 24th Street has some bragging rights both inside and out. Exterior-wise, the 21-foot-wide home is surrounded by greenery and outdoor space on a block of other historic townhouses. Inside, over 4,073 square feet, mid-century and Danish interior design has added a unique and modern touch. Big walls of glass, finally, connect the indoor and outdoor elements. If you're digging the connection, the property has just hit the market for a cool $11 million.
Explore each floor
November 15, 2017

Historic UES mansion with Michael Jackson and ‘Gossip Girl’ ties asks $39M

The celebrity connections at 4 East 74th Street date all the way back to its construction in 1898 when architect Alexander Welch was commissioned to design the Beaux-Arts townhouse. Welch served as the consulting architect on the restorations of Alexander Hamilton's Harlem home Hamilton Grange and George Washington's headquarters in White Plains. The Upper East Side home was bought by Francis Lynde Stetson and his wife. Corporate attorney Stetson was at one time the law partner of Grover Cleveland. According to Curbed, who first spotted the listing, in more recent years, the 16-room mansion has counted among its residents artist Marc Chagall and Michael Jackson, who rented it in the 90s. The house also stood in as the exterior of Nate Archibald’s residence in "Gossip Girl." It's now owned by billionaire Moroccan-born American hedge fund manager and Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, who's just listed it for $39 million.
Take a tour
November 13, 2017

For $2.3M, an Amzi Hill-designed Bed-stuy townhouse with historic details and an artist’s legacy

On one of the prettiest blocks in the landmarked Stuyvesant Heights section of Bed-Stuy, this 3,240-square-foot 1890s brownstone is brimming with historic architectural details. Designed by prolific Brooklyn architect Amzi Hill, 740 Macon Street has been lovingly restored by the home's longtime owners, one of whom happens to be a celebrated local artist whose sense of history and beauty is reflected at every turn. Highlights include arched windows, six tiled fireplaces, parquet floors, wooden shutters, pressed tin ceilings, pocket doors, a pier mirror, egg-and-dart molding and intricate fretwork, plus a landscaped garden and terrace. The two-family townhouse–there's a one-bedroom garden unit for rental income–is asking $2.3 million.
Tour this beautiful four-story house
November 12, 2017

A top-floor apartment at Trump International, awash in marble, has been price chopped down to $27.5M

Extravagant is the word to describe this 47th-floor apartment at Trump International, the 52-floor hotel/condo hybrid on the corner of Central Park West. The owner snatched up the 6,360-square-foot home in 2008 and has been recently delivering a number of price cuts to unload it. In 2016, the pad was asking $40 million. That number went down to $34.5 million this April, and now it's finally landed at $27.5 million--a 31.5 percent markdown from its original ask. For all that money, however, you're getting Central Park views, four distinct types of marble flooring, and a master bathroom decked out in Lapis Lazuli stone hand-picked by European craftsman.
See all the lavish details
November 10, 2017

Concrete jungle in West Soho hits market for $5.25M

If you're a fan of concrete as a rich interior material, this just-listed West Soho will definitely impress. The 4,000-square-foot duplex is decked out with concrete columns, floors, and ceilings. This industrial chic space also offers a flexible floor plan, with a 30-foot-wide and 68-foot-long great room that allows for a number of configurations. Currently, it's set up as a two-bedroom home with a studio art space and a casual media lounge. The creative, well-designed residence is located within the 18-unit condo at 481 Greenwich Street, and is now asking $5.25 million.
See more of that concrete
November 9, 2017

Run your own library from this $5M bookshelf-lined Central Park West loft

The Century condominium at 25 Central Park West lives up to its ambitious name; its Art Deco architecture is as distinctive as its prime Central Park location with views to match. This light-flooded corner penthouse has 360-degree park views, but even those may need to compete with the sheer amount of reading material on the bookshelves that line this $5 million loft. With impossibly high ceilings, exposed beams, multiple levels, and innovative modern finishes, the three-bedroom residence has the feel of a loft within the elegant context of a pre-war apartment building.
Library with better hours, rules and furniture this way
November 8, 2017

Penn Station and MSG get reimagined as a landscaped cemetery

The rant that traveling via Penn Station is enough to kill you just took on a whole new meaning. Untapped Cities shared this vision from Columbia University's DeathLab (yes, this is a group dedicated to dealing with death in the city) that reimagines Penn Station and Madison Square Garden as a giant cemetery and public space. The general idea is to be more eco-friendly and accessible. Not only will the human remains be used to fertilize the gardens, but family members and the general public will be able to record digital memories to be stored on a central server.
Learn more about this proposal
November 8, 2017

Cozy Chelsea co-op has all-season appeal for $1.2M

This charm-filled two-bedroom co-op at 333 West 22nd Street has the good fortune of being located on one of Chelsea's most picturesque historic townhouse blocks. Inside the apartment, recently listed for $1.195 million, you'll find just as much charm in the form of a wood-burning fireplace, exposed brick walls and a renovated bath, plus plenty of closet space. In case you're not convinced: In the den/second bedroom is a glass door that leads to a tranquil and gorgeous planted garden, perfect for restful pondering or outdoor dining.
Have a look around
November 7, 2017

INTERVIEW: Architect Morris Adjmi talks standing out while fitting in and organizing art exhibits

In architect Morris Adjmi’s new book, "A Grid and a Conversation," he describes his ongoing conversation between context and design. On any project, Adjmi balances three factors: standing out while fitting in, respecting history while not being frozen in time, and creating “ambient” architecture while gaining popularity. 6sqft sat down with Adjmi to find out more about his work philosophy, art exhibits, love of Shaker design, and awesome opening night parties with custom-made drinks.
Hear from Morris Adjmi himself
November 7, 2017

$17M Dutchess County ‘castle’ once belonged to Andrew Carnegie

Built in 1927 for Andrew Carnegie's daughter, the 34,000-square-foot estate in Millbrook, NY known as Migdale Castle was modeled after Carnegie's Skibo Castle in Scotland. Beginning in 2002, the home's current owners spent four years renovating its four floors, the 100 acres it occupies, and another 100-acre adjacent plot, giving new life to one of Dutchess County's most distinguished estates. Migdale first hit the market for $25 million, making it the county's most expensive listing, but a recent $8.1 million price chop resulted in the current $16.9 million ask.
READ MORE
November 6, 2017

A prewar studio located on the “fruit streets” of Brooklyn Heights asks just $469K

There are many things to love about Brooklyn Heights, one of those being the neighborhood's "fruit streets." Pineapple, Cranberry and Orange streets are all known in the area not just for the whimsical names, but for their historic architecture and prime location near the waterfront promenade. The cooperative at 55 Pineapple Street, also known as the Hamilton House, is one of those stately historic buildings that make the fruit streets so unique. This studio, now on the market for $469,000, retains the building's prewar charm while also boasting some upgrades to maximize the space.
Tour the cozy pad